A devastating tragedy has unfolded in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where more than 150 female prisoners were raped and burned alive during a violent prison break.
According to the United Nations (UN), male prisoners set fire to Muzenze Prison before escaping, trapping many women inside. The UN Human Rights Office reported that most of the 165 female inmates who were subjected to sexual violence perished in the fire. Only nine to thirteen survived, but all had already been victims of previous sexual violence.
“We have not independently verified this report, but we consider the information from the DRC judiciary to be credible,” said Seif Magango, UN Human Rights Office spokesperson, on Thursday.
Mass Prison Escape Amid Ongoing Conflict
The prison break occurred on January 27, when male inmates took advantage of chaos caused by fighting between M23 rebels and Congolese government forces to flee. According to Radio Okapi, a UN-backed media outlet, more than 4,000 prisoners escaped, leaving the detention facility in ruins. Prison guards reportedly shot dead several escaping inmates.
DRC Communications Minister Patrick Muyaya confirmed the rapes, calling them “an intolerable act of barbarism.”
The Goma massacre underscores the persistent issue of sexual violence in conflict zones across the DRC—a country long plagued by civil war, armed group violence, and ethnic conflicts.
150 female prisoners were raped and burned alive during a violent prison break
Growing Concerns Over Widespread Sexual Violence
Beyond the Goma incident, several other cases of sexual violence are under investigation.
“We are verifying reports of 52 women raped by Congolese soldiers in South Kivu province, including allegations of gang rape,” said Jeremy Laurence, spokesperson for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Meanwhile, the M23 rebel group, which claims control over Goma, has called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. Human rights organizations report that the ongoing clashes between government forces and M23 rebels have already claimed nearly 3,000 lives in a short period.
Call for Justice and Humanitarian Response
International human rights organizations are urging the DRC government and global community to take immediate action to hold perpetrators accountable and address the humanitarian crisis in Goma.
As the situation continues to unfold, calls for justice, accountability, and protection of vulnerable populations in the DRC grow louder.
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Source: Vietnam Insider